Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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In what has been a difficult campaign for Rayo Vallecano, they are looking to finish with something of a flourish and send their fans off happy amidst continued off-the-field turmoil.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 25th May, 2024 - UK – 17:30 / US EST – 12:30 / US PST – 10:30
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be televised live on Viaplay Sports in the UK. / This match will not be televised live in the US.
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live the Viaplay Sports app in the UK. / This match will be streamed live via ESPN+ in the US.
RAYO VALLECANO PREVIEW: A RAYO OF LIGHT
In the summer transfer window of 2023, Rayo Vallecano lost several key first-teamers such as Alejandro Catena, Fran Garcia and Santi Comesana as well as their manager Andoni Iraola. He was replaced by Francisco with the task being to ensure they stay up and things did start pretty well for the hosts before fading quite badly.
That fading led to his dismissal in March, replaced by Andoni Iraola’s former assistant, 33-year-old Inigo Perez. He immediately improved performances but results continued to stagnate but the capital city club have managed to narrowly escape the drop ahead of the final day, despite their 3-0 loss to Barcelona in Catalonia last weekend.
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: BASQUE-ING IN THE SUN
It has been a magnificent season for former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde and his Athletic Club side as they sit just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots but the proud holders of the Copa del Rey, which they won by defeating Real Mallorca on penalties at La Cartuja in Seville in early April.
The Basque giants have put together an entertaining and attacking team full of incredible young talent such as Nico Williams, Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet and Gorka Guruzeta. They come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Sevilla at the San Mames with first-half goals from Raul Garcia and departing legend, Iker Muniain.
RAYO VALLECANO TEAM NEWS: MUMIM & VALENTIN SUSPENDED
Ahead of the final day of the campaign, Rayo Vallecano do have a couple of suspension issues for this one. Defender Abdul Mumin and midfielder Oscar Valentin are out suspended, whilst Diego Mendez is out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane Hernandez, Lejeune, Espino; Pozo; De Frutos, Ciss, Palazon, Garcia; Camello
UNAVAILABLE: Mumim (Suspended), Valentin (Suspended), Mendez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: INAKI & SANCET ARE BACK
The likes of Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Inaki Williams, Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet have been missing through injury, as well as Iker Muniain, of late but they are all available with only striker Gorka Guruzeta missing this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Berchiche; Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Garcia
UNAVAILABLE: Guruzeta (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RAYO VALLECANO VS ATHLETIC BILBAO PREDICTION
Rayo Vallecano will once again be one of the teams that are tipped up for relegation next season but having Inigo Perez able to work with them for this summer to try and re-instil the ideas of Andoni Iraola will hopefully be a benefit. Until then, though, they must try and not disgrace themselves against an Athletic side potentially bidding farewell to some genuine stars and they will want to out with a bang so an Athletic victory is to be expected for this one at Vallecas.
RAYO VALLECANO VS ATHLETIC BILBAO TIP: ATHLETIC CLUB TO WIN
